Method for configurating a base station network

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to telecommunication network planning and network control as well as to network installation procedures. In particular the invention relates to a method for configurating a telecommunication network, preparing a network element for operation, and giving an address to a network element, where each network element in the telecommunication network has an address of its own. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps in which each network element is made a subnetwork of its own ( 301 ), a common network-wide IP classification is selected ( 302 ), an IP address is created for each network element ( 303 ), a configuration file is created which comprises at least IP address information in combination with a network element site identifier ( 304 ), the said configuration file is stored in a control device ( 305 ), and the said configuration file is loaded from the control device into the network element on the basis of the site identifier ( 306 ). The invention further relates to a system for configurating a telecommunication network.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to telecommunication network planning andnetwork control as well as to network installation procedures. Inparticular the invention relates to a method for configurating atelecommunication network, preparing a network element for operation,and giving an address to a network element, in which telecommunicationnetwork each network element has an address of its own.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] A base station network in a mobile communication system comprisesprimarily base stations (BS) and a base station controller (BSC). Thebase station controller controls the operation of the base stations. TheBSC is connected to a mobile switching center (MSC). The base stationsprovide connections to mobile phones through the air interface. The basestations are connected to the BSC through a radio link, copper cable oroptical cable. Between the base stations and base station controllersthere are usually cross-connects which take care of the switching ofconnections between the various devices. The tasks of the BSC includecontrolling the transmission power of mobile stations and carrying outhandovers for mobile stations. The base station controllers areconnected to a mobile switching center which handles the mobiletelephone traffic in its geographical area. Its tasks include routing ofcalls, call management and termination of calls. Furthermore, the mobileswitching center is connected to registers containing user informationsuch as e.g. the home location register HLR and visitor locationregister VLR and a network management system NMS. FIG. 1 shows a blockdiagram of a typical base station network architecture. The base stationnetwork comprises base stations 10 and base station controllers 20. Thebase station controller 20 is connected to a mobile switching center MSC30 in the mobile communication network. In addition, FIG. 1 shows mobilestations 5 connected to the base station network.

[0003] As the Internet gains more popularity, the technology involved,in particular the technology associated with IP (Internet Protocol)networks, has become cheaper and has been introduced in many fields ofapplication. IP network technology is already being used in mobilecommunication systems as well, especially in setting up base stationnetworks. In an IP network each device in the network has a uniqueaddress within the network. If a device has got several interfacingports to the network, each port is given an IP address of its own. Thereare two versions of the IP protocol. Version 4 of the IP protocol (IPv4)is specified in the document RFC 791. Version 6 of the IP protocol(IPv6) is specified in the document RFC 1883.

[0004] An IPv4 address consists of a string of 32 bits. FIG. 2illustrates the structure of IPv4 address. IPv4 addresses are currentlydivided into five classes: A, B, C, D and E. The most significant bitsin the address indicate the class of the address. A, B and C class IPaddresses are divided into two parts: the net part and the host part.The net part identifies the network to which the host is connected, andthe host part identifies the host's connection port to the network. Byreserving more bits to the net part and fewer bits to the host part itis possible to assign addresses to an overall network architecturecomprising a large number of discrete networks. Such a case of courseinvolves the restriction that a discrete network cannot contain verymany recipients. Conversely, if we have a few large networks with alarge number of users in them, then it is best to choose a net partcomprising fewer bits and a host part comprising many bits. A D-classaddress comprises a so-called multicast address, and class E is reservedfor future use. IP addresses are unique, so granting and assigning IPaddresses must be supervised so that one and the same address not begiven more than once.

[0005] A new device attached to an IP network needs an IP address of itsown. A popular way to implement the allocation of an IP address to a newdevice attached to the network is to have the new device request the IPaddress from a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server orBOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol) server either in the same or in a differentnetwork. The DHCP server keeps track, in a centralized manner, of the IPaddresses required by a network in the geographical area assigned to it.The DHCP or BOOTP server allocates the new device a free IP address andsends information about it to the new device. As soon as the new devicehas got an IP address, it is able to communicate in the network. Anotheralternative, somewhat more complicated though, is to program an IPaddress for the new device already before it is delivered to its finaldestination, but this calls for very careful network planning andmaintenance.

[0006] If the network topology is such that a router is connected to anoutside network via one route only and to the internal network hierarchyvia multiple ports, then the network elements connected to each one ofthe ports can be regarded as discrete subnetworks. Therefore, aso-called subnetwork mask can be used in the IP addresses. Subnetworkmask means that the host part of the IP address is divided into twoparts: a part specifying the subnetwork and the host part proper. Thus,when the subnetwork is being implemented, the IP addresses in thesubnetwork can be compiled such that the combination of the partspecifying the subnetwork and the net part proper is considered theinternal net part of the subnetwork.

[0007] In order to make network planning easier, the base stationnetwork can be divided into subnetworks which are planned separately. Asubnetwork may consist of e.g. several base stations located in one andthe same geographical area. In addition, a so called DCN (DataCommunication Network) for the subnetwork has to be set up for thepurpose of network control. Subnetwork planning is usually quite alaborious and time-consuming phase in network planning.

[0008] If human errors such as incorrectly installed cross-connections,incorrectly positioned radio links etc. occurred during the installationof a network, a connection to a DHCP or BOOTP server cannot beestablished. Such errors in the installation stage of the network arequite usual due to e.g. differing installation schedules of the variousparts of network. A new device must also be provided with a connectionto the network control system, whereby this, too, is made uncertain bythe factors mentioned above. Therefore, an easier base stationinstallation method is needed

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide an installation methodfor base station network elements, eliminating the disadvantagesmentioned above. Another object of the invention is to provide aninstallation method for base station network elements which simplifiesthe installation of a base station network based on an IP communicationnetwork.

[0010] The objects of the invention are achieved by arranging for aspecial installation file specifying the parameters for the element tobe installed, which parameters can be loaded into the network elementon-site. A correct installation file can be stored for the correctnetwork element on the basis of predetermined criteria.

[0011] The method according to the invention for configuring atelecommunication network, preparing a network element for operation andgiving an address to a network element, in which telecommunicationnetwork each network element has an address of its own, is characterizedin that the method comprises steps in which

[0012] each network element is made a subnetwork of its own (301),

[0013] a common network-wide IP classification is selected (302),

[0014] an IP address is created for each network element (303),

[0015] a configuration file is created which comprises at least IPaddress information in combination with a network element siteidentifier (304),

[0016] the said configuration file is stored in a control device (305),and

[0017] the said configuration file is loaded from the control deviceinto the network element on the basis of the site identifier (306).

[0018] The system according to the invention for configurating atelecommunication network, preparing a network element for operation andgiving an address to a network element, in which telecommunicationnetwork each network element has an address of its own, is characterizedin that the system comprises

[0019] means (401) for selecting a common network-wide IP classificationand for making each network element a subnetwork of its own,

[0020] means (402) for creating IP addresses for the network elements,

[0021] means (403) for creating a configuration file which comprises atleast IP address information in combination with a network element siteidentifier,

[0022] means (404) for storing the said configuration file in a controldevice, and

[0023] means (405) for reading the said configuration file from thecontrol device into a network element on the basis of the siteidentifier.

[0024] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are presented in thedependent claims.

[0025] The method according to the invention utilizes advantageously apredetermined, fixed and network-wide subnetwork mask. Furthermore, eachnode in the network is regarded in the method according to the inventionas a subnetwork of its own so that each individual network element canbe given a unique IP address. In accordance with the method according tothe invention, a site identifier is created for each network element, onthe basis of which site identifier the new network element can betransported to its place of installation and the right configurationfile can be selected in the control device in the installation phase. Bymeans of the method according to the invention it is possible toautomatically configurate the base station network to be installed. Thetelecommunication system according to the invention comprises the meanswith which the method described above can be implemented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention is below described more closely with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which

[0027]FIG. 1 shows an example of a typical base station network,

[0028]FIG. 2 illustrates the structure of IP addresses,

[0029]FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention,

[0030]FIG. 4 shows a telecommunication system according to theinvention, and

[0031]FIG. 5 shows a control device according to the invention.

[0032] Like elements in the drawings are denoted by like referencedesignators. FIGS. 1 and 2 were already discussed above in conjunctionwith the description of the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Let us first consider the network planning and set-up process ingeneral outline. At the initial stage, the necessary preliminary studiesand measurements are carried out in the area where the network is to beinstalled. Also at the initial stage, planning is done regarding therequired radio links, capacities and other things essential to radiocommunication connections. After various planning processes, the dataare delivered to a factory where the necessary network elements arecompiled in order to build a radio network according to the plan.

[0034] As is known, every network element handling data traffic needs anIP address by which it can be identified. IP address generation can berealized by a specially designed element, for example. Such an elementis called a generating element, for instance. The generating elementcomprises a means with which it can produce IP addresses such that notwo network elements are given the same IP address. Correspondingly, aso-called site identifier, or site ID, is generated for each device tobe built, by means of which site ID the network elements built can betransported to their correct locations. The site ID may be e.g. asequence of digits giving the correct location information for thenetwork element, whereby the device in question can be transported tothe right location. According to another preferred embodiment the saidsite ID may simply comprise the coordinates for the geographicallocation of the network element in question. Advantageously theinstaller of the network element stores the said IP address and site IDin a control device such as a portable computer used for on-site networkelement installation. Advantageously the said information is stored e.g.in a so-called configuration file which is uploaded to the networkelement on the site.

[0035] In applying the solution according to the invention it isadvantageously required that each network node is a subnetwork of itsown. In this exemplary embodiment this means that each one of thenetwork cross-connects through which the base stations BS are connectedto the base station controller BSC, constitutes a subnetwork of its own.Since each cross-connect functions as a router, a routing protocol canbe used between the cross-connects. Moreover, the arrangement describedhas the advantage that, as far as address generation is concerned, itsuffices that each subnetwork is configurated uniquely, i.e. so thateach network element in the subnetwork has an IP address of its own.

[0036] Another thing to observe in applying the solution according tothe invention is that the whole network conforms to a common standardsubnetwork mask. This means that the IP addresses in the network are inaccordance with a certain predetermined structure. The IP addressstructure is selected on the basis of subnetwork size. Enough bits arereserved for the net part and host part of the IP address so that eachnetwork element can be given a unique IP address.

[0037] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that since everynetwork node advantageously functions as a subnetwork of its own andsince the network has a common subnetwork mask, the router network canbe set up, whereby individual network elements can start operating, assoon as the link connections between the different sets of devices areestablished. This arrangement according to the invention brings theadvantage that the only thing to observe in the network planning is thatevery network node is given an unequivocal network identifier. Anunequivocal network identifier means a network identifier which isunique within the whole network.

[0038] Let us next consider the method according to the invention shownin FIG. 3 for connecting a new network element, such as a cross-connector base station BS, to an existing network. A principal idea of theinvention is that each network element is set up as a subnetwork of itsown 301. Another principal idea of the invention is that a common IPaddress classification is selected for the network 302. Next, thenetwork element is given a unique IP address 303 which is storedtogether with other information in a configuration file 304. Theconfiguration file advantageously comprises a site ID by means of whichthe configuration file of each new network element can be loaded intothe right network element. Advantageously the IP address and site ID arecreated automatically. After planning and generation, the saidconfiguration file is transferred to a so-called control device 305,meaning a device where the installer has stored all the configurationfiles for all the different network elements and which control devicecan be connected to the new network element for uploading the data. Theinstaller of the network element loads the configuration file into thenew network element by means of the control device on the site of thenew network element 306. The correct file is advantageously selected onthe basis of the site ID. It is obvious to a person skilled in the artthat the said network element may be any element in a telecommunicationnetwork. Especially advantageously it is a base station BS.

[0039] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that using thearrangement according to the invention in which each network element isa subnetwork of its own and the whole network has a common subnetworkmask, one can avoid one of the most laborious stages in networkplanning, i.e. subnetwork DCN planning, where the DCN network is used innetwork control.

[0040] One of the consequences of the arrangement according to theinvention is that possible errors made in the installation phase of anetwork element will not prevent the setting up of the network element.As the network element can be brought into operating conditioncompletely without radio communication, the installation of the networkelement can be completed even if not all network portions of the networkin question are functioning when the network element is being installed.

[0041] A telecommunication system according to the invention comprisesmeans for setting up a network element and giving an address to anetwork element. FIG. 4 shows a system according to a preferredembodiment, comprising in its entirety a first means 401 to select acommon network-wide IP classification and to make each network element asubnetwork of its own. After the IP-classification the system comprisesa second means 402 for creating an individual IP address for everynetwork element. After the IP address generation, the system generates aconfiguration file using a means 403 intended for this purpose. Aconfiguration file advantageously comprises the IP address of a givennetwork element together with the geographical location data for thenetwork element in question. A telecommunication system according to theinvention further comprises a means 404 by which the said configurationfile can be stored in a control device. The system also comprises ameans 405 for reading the configuration file from the control deviceinto the network element on the basis of the geographical location data.It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the means describedabove can be regarded as software arranged so as to be loaded into amicroprocessor in order to implement the functions of the meansdescribed above.

[0042] Let us next consider a control device according to the inventionshown in FIG. 5 which is used to convey the configuration file to theelement to be installed. The control device advantageously comprises ameans 501 by which the configuration file, which was created in thenetwork planning phase, can be stored in a control device.Advantageously the control device comprises a means 502 where the saidconfiguration files can be stored. Such a means may comprise e.g. amemory circuit in the control device. In addition the control devicecomprises a means 503 by which the configuration file stored-therein canbe transferred to the network element to be installed. The controldevice may also be adapted so as to include a means by which thegeographical location of the control device can be determinedautomatically. This is of particular advantage in a situation where thesite ID directly comprises the geographical coordinates of the newnetwork element. The configuration file to be loaded into the networkelement has been stored in the control device on the basis of thegeographical coordinates, so automatic geographical positioning of thecontrol device can be used especially advantageously to find the correctconfiguration file for the network element. The geographical positioningmay be realized using either an integrated or separate GPS (GlobalPositioning System) device, for example. Control devices suitable forthe arrangement according to the invention may include e.g. a portablepersonal computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or some othersimilar device comprising the means described above. It is obvious to aperson skilled in the art that the configuration file may be loaded intothe network element also through a mobile station or the like. Thisnaturally requires that in the place where the new network element isbeing installed, there must already exist the preconditions for radiocommunication or that the mobile station has enough memory capacity forstoring the configuration files. If the control device is a mobilestation and the configuration files are sent to the control device byradio, the mobile station is arranged, if necessary, to utilize anotherradio network system operating in the same area to receive theconfiguration file when the network, which is being set up, is not yetfunctioning.

[0043] Advantageously the configuration file contains the informationrequired by the new element in order to set it up in the network.Especially advantageously the file combines the site ID of the newelement with the IP address of the network element. As soon as theconfiguration file is stored in the network element, the network elementis ready to communicate with other existing network elements, for it hasgot an IP address of its own. The method described has also theadvantage that even if there is no control channel at the time ofinstalling the element, the installation can be completed and, moreover,without error messages, for as the new element also functions as arouter, it is able to update its files according to changes in thesurrounding network. A control channel can be established for thenetwork element at the latest when a permanent connection is establishedfor the element via the network.

[0044] The method according to the invention involves several otheradvantages, too. For example, in base station network planning there isno need for separate planning for IP network addresses and otherparameters since they can be created automatically as each networkelement forms a subnetwork of its own. Moreover, since a predeterminedclass is used for the IP addresses, difficult and time-consumingsubnetwork planning is avoided and existing IP routing procedures forthe class in question can be used. The base station network to beinstalled starts operating as an IP network with all the usual IPnetwork functions as soon as at least two elements are interconnected.This, in turn, simplifies testing and diagnostics considerably.

[0045] It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that networkplanning and the method according to the invention can be realized e.g.within a network management system (NMS). This makes network managementand maintenance easier. The method may also be realized in networkplanning stages other than those mentioned here by way of example.Especially it is obvious that the method according to the invention isprimarily meant to be used in private IP networks.

[0046] The method according to the invention can be used both innetworks based on the IPv4 and in networks based on the IPv6 protocol.Moreover, the method according to the invention for installing anelement in a base station network can be applied in the GSM (GlobalSystem for Mobile communications), UMTS (Universal MobileTelecommunication System) and other digital mobile communication systemsin which an IP network can be used as a communications network of thebase station network.

[0047] The name of a given functional unit, such as base stationcontroller, is often different in different cellular network systems.For example, in the UMTS the functional unit equivalent to the basestation controller (BSC) is the radio network controller (RNC).Therefore, the terminology in this application as regards networkelements is, for reasons of clarity, in accordance with the GSM system,but the invention is not limited solely to the GSM system.

[0048] In view of the foregoing it is obvious to a person skilled in theart that various modifications can be made without departing from thescope of the invention. Although an advantageous embodiment of theinvention was described in detail, it is obvious that variousmodifications to and variations on the embodiment are possible, whichmodifications and variations are in accordance with the true spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A method for configurating a telecommunication network, preparing anetwork element for operation and for giving an address to a networkelement, in which telecommunication network every network element has anaddress of its own, characterized in that the method comprises steps inwhich each network element is made a subnetwork of its own (301), acommon network-wide IP classification is selected (302), an IP addressis created for each network element (303), a configuration file iscreated which comprises at least IP address information in combinationwith a network element site identifier (304), the said configurationfile is stored in a control device (305), and the said configurationfile is loaded from the control device into the network element on thebasis of the site identifier (306).
 2. A method according to claim 1,characterized in that the IP address is created for each network elementautomatically.
 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe said site identifier comprises a sequence of symbols.
 4. A methodaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the site identifiercomprises the geographical coordinates of the new network element.
 5. Asystem for configurating a telecommunication network, preparing anetwork element for operation and giving an address to a networkelement, where each network element in the telecommunication network hasan address of its own, characterized in that the system comprises means(401) for selecting a common network-wide IP classification and formaking each network element a subnetwork of its own, means (402) forcreating IP addresses for the network elements, means (403) for creatinga configuration file which comprises at least IP address information incombination with a network element site identifier, means (404) forstoring the said configuration file in a control device, and means (405)for reading the said configuration file from the control device into anetwork element on the basis of the site identifier.
 6. A systemaccording to claim 5, characterized in that the said network element isa base station.
 7. A system according to claim 5, characterized in thatthe said control device is a computer.
 8. A system according to claim 5,characterized in that the said control device is a so-called personaldigital assistant
 9. A system according to claim 5, characterized inthat the said control device is a mobile station.